Desradicalización y desvinculación: aspectos formales y teóricos

Abstract

Radicalization is currently one of the biggest social and security challenges. Nonetheless, the increase in arrests that has taken place the last years has moved the focus towards deradicalization and disengagement processes. In an attempt to converge academic knowledge on the topic, this article provides a literature review where relevant deradicalization, disengagement, and rehabilitation factors and models are identified and evaluated. Initially, the article will conceptualize deradicalization, understood as a social and psychological process in which individuals engaged actively in violent radicalization reduce their commitment to the cause, up to the point there is no risk of supporting and participating in violent activities. Then, it will differentiate disengagement as the process by which individuals change their role or function in a way that reduces their participation in violence. Afterwards, the main deradicalization push and pull factors will be analyzed, highlighting, on the one hand, disappointment with the strategy or actions of the radical group and, on the other hand, external relationships and family commitments. Subsequently, seven theoretical models from different disciplines are described, which explain disengagement, deradicalization and rehabilitation. Amongst the models, we find the six-phase disengagement trajectory, the investment model, the 3N model, the pro-integration model, the reinforcement loops model, the disengagement dynamics model, and the phoenix disengagement model. Finally, similarities and differences, and limitations of these models are discussed.